SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced the launch of mobile payment in
all U.S. company-operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store
purchases with select smartphones. Building on the earlier introduction
of Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry® smartphones, iPhone®
and iPod® touch and a successful mobile payment test program, customers
now have access to the largest mobile payment program in the U.S. and
the fastest way to pay at Starbucks. This national program now includes
nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in
U.S. Target locations.

In addition to engaging a loyal base of several million cardholders with
the offering, Starbucks anticipates mobile payment will be a draw for
customers looking to experience the speed, ease and convenience of
paying with their mobile phone. “Today, one in five Starbucks
transactions is made using a Starbucks Card and mobile payment will
extend the way our customers experience and use their Starbucks Card,”
said Brady Brewer, vice president Starbucks Card and Brand Loyalty.
“With mobile payment, the Starbucks Card platform further elevates the
customer experience by delivering convenience, rewarding loyalty and
continuing to build an emotional connection with our customers.”

To experience mobile payment at Starbucks, customers just need to
download the free Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry
smartphones, iPhone or iPod touch mobile devices. More than one-third of
U.S. Starbucks customers use smartphones, of which nearly three quarters
use BlackBerry smartphone or iPhone mobile devices. In addition to the
mobile payment capability, the app allows customers to manage their
Starbucks Card account, check their card balance, reload their card with
any major credit card (iPhone users can also use the PayPal feature),
check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find a nearby Starbucks
store with the store locator feature.

Customers can pay with their smartphone by holding their mobile device
in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card
Mobile App’s on-screen barcode to make a purchase. Customers have
successfully adopted this technology in test markets in Seattle,
Northern California, New York and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S.
Target stores.

Mobile payment is built on the Starbucks Card platform, which continues
to experience significant customer adoption. Customers loaded more than
$1.5 billion on Starbucks Cards in 2010, an increase of 21 percent over
2009, driven in part by the My Starbucks Rewards program which provides
benefits to customers who pay with a registered Starbucks Card at
participating stores. With the introduction of the quick and easy
Starbucks Card Mobile App and the mobile payment feature, customer will
find yet another reason to use their Starbucks Card for payment.

“Mobile payment is just one example of how we’re continually innovating
on behalf of our customers to enhance the Starbucks Experience,” said
Brewer. “A growing segment of our customers use smartphones, and through
the Starbucks Card Mobile App, we’re providing them with the fastest way
to pay.”

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically
sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in
the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the
premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through
our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we
bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every
customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us
in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks are the exclusive
properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

Apple, iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in
the U.S. and other countries.